The future of the Bujinkan teachings will depend on its instructors knowing how to properly transfer the art’s knowledge to their students and for these instructors to represent themselves as confident professionals both in and out of the dojo.

We want our instructors to be examples for others to follow and we want to know that they have been given training in how to teach well. Our intent is to make the transition from student to instructor easier.

This is why IBDA now requires the completion of this Shidoshi (Teacher of the “Warrior Ways of Enlightenment”) Training Course for all students that want to become Shidoshi-ho instructors with IBDA. Some people will learn to teach in a dojo setting while some may only train outdoors with a few friends – either way this Shidoshi Course is designed to make you a better teacher and to truly understand more about the ‘Do’ (the Way aka the Tao) and its influence on the Ninpo art that we study.

It is wonderful if you can attend our IBDA dojo classes directly or train with a certified instructor but if this is not available to you then we have complete Distant Learning Programs such as the Shodan BlackBelt Home Study Course and the Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, etc. courses. Taking you for Beginner to Master. You can go just as far as you want to go with us – many have already. Just start with the Shodan Course and work your way to the top.

Any time is fine. While you are training to get your BlackBelt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu_Budo Taijutsu (if you don’t already have one) you can also study how to teach the art to others. Most students will start this Shidoshi training by the time they reach the 4th kyu level, which is over half way to Shodan, so that when you get your Shodan (or Nidan) you will already be trained as and have an understanding of what it really means to be a Shidoshi-ho (junior licensed instructor) You will be a direct student under Shihan Richard Van Donkand will be issued a Shidoshi-ho certificate by Soke Masaaki Hatsumi at the Bujinkan Hombu headquarters in Japan.

The Shidoshi Teacher Training Course is a required prerequisite to becoming an IBDA Shidoshi-ho(Junior Liscensed) Bujinkan instructor. 

You do not have to be an IBDA member to get this course — at this time. This has been a big debate with my staff and current Shidoshis. This course is so loaded with unknown secrets of the art that they wanted me to keep this knowledge only for the people directly training with us.

But I want everyone to benefit and have an opportunity to learn this knowledge so I told them that I would test offering it to everyone. I want you to know that at anytime I may stop offering this course to the general public and make it only available to IBDA enrolled students. That’s why if you think this course is for you then I suggest you get it now while you still can.

I know that this is an excellent course as it reveals 40+ years of my own teaching knowledge and took me over 2 years to write it for you. I really put a lot into it so that you could become the best teacher you can be. Take advantage of this opportunity now while it’s available.

By taking this Bujinkan Ninjutsu_Budo Taijutsu Shidoshi Teacher Training Course you will have the skills to start a training group and to open up your very own dojo.

How do we know? Great question. Well we can honestly say that countless others have become teachers through studying this course. Shihan Van Donk was a Master Trainer in NLP and DHE modeling skills where he trained others to be teachers in a complicated science based system. He has taught many brand new students into being great instructors in his own dojo – 40 years teaching experience.

AND perhaps more definitive all students of this course that want to become IBDA instructors MUST teach in front of us until we are happy that they are good enough to share the art with others and represent us. Plus they will take a written test with us as well. At IBDA we have a high standard for our instructors.

So whether you choose that journey with us or not you can be assured that we have done our best to give you the written skills and lesson sets, video teaching examples and audios of the course to embed in your mind.

But the greatest gift of all is what you will feel inside, the changes you have made in your life and how these changes affect others around you because of your dedication and hard earned efforts.

These studies have been proven to change lives! We support your journey in sharing the arts. Best gift back ever is sharing forward!

YES, this course is the start of your becoming a certified Shidoshi-ho (junior licensed teacher) recognized and issued by the Japan Hombu.
Our courses are open to anyone. Many teachers of even Karate, Jujitsu and Tae Kwon Do have gained much from studying this course and have received certification. We will ONLY issue Shidoshi-ho licenses to our own IBDA students. We urge you to develop a relationship with a Bujinkan teacher for your Shidoshi-ho. This course will help you be a better teacher no matter what you teach.

At IBDA we want all of our instructors trained to assure the quality of training given no matter where a student may live. Every IBDA teacher knows all the Course material up at least up to their current rank grade and will have taken this Shidoshi Teachers Training Course. It is one thing to be good at taijutsu or techniques and another in being able to share this information effectively to others. Our goal is that you are able to do both.

After deeply studying this Bujinkan Ninjutsu_Budo Taijutsu Shidoshi Teacher Training Course you will be required to take an open book 100 question test, write a short essay and shoot a video of yourself teaching, either a class or an individual. This can be waived if you have taught in front of a certified IBDA instructor in the dojo or at a seminar event. There is a Testing and Course Completion Certificate fee (currently $50-). YES, you get a Shidoshi Course Completion Certificate, when you pass. There is no charge for re-testing should you not pass the first time.

If you are a Shodan with IBDA then you could be eligible for your Shidoshi-ho. This is usually given at Nidan but we feel that you are now trained to be a Shidoshi-ho. Please contact the Bushindo Office about this. Japan Hombu fees apply and you must also join the Japan Shidoshi-kai (teachers association). Current dues are 15,000 Yen per year.

To become a Shidoshi (fully licensed teacher) you first must obtain a Yondan grade, hold it for one year, then take the Godan test from Shihan Richard Van Donk or in Japan by a JuGodan in front of Soke Hatsumi. Please note that Soke Hatsumi no longer administers this test.

These studies have been proven to change lives! We support your journey in sharing the arts. Best gift back ever is sharing forward!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BLACKBELT COURSE

Learn what it takes to become a Black Belt
in Ninjutsu in your own home at your own pace!

This revolutionary Ninjutsu Home Study Course pioneered by Master Richard Van Donk, 15th dan, is used by high ranking Ninjutsu instructors and beginning students alike with great success in over 75 countries worldwide. Seven years, 1000’s of hours of research, lots of blood, sweat and tears, and almost ¼ million miles of travel in about 50 trips to Japan to personally train with Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi and other Shihan teachers went into providing you with this very comprehensive step by step Black Belt curriculum. There is none like it anywhere else in the world. The elite World Grandmaster Council (WHFSC) gave us the best top International Videos Award in 1999. Find out why for yourself! Train at home on your own time at your own pace!

WHY A HOME STUDY COURSE?

Simply put, authentic Ninjutsu is hard to find in many parts of the world. There are not qualified instructors available on every corner. The Ninjutsu Blackbelt Home Study Course gives people who are not fortunate enough to have a teacher near them an opportunity to study this art in a step by step manner, offers them a way to get feedback on their training, and if desired, obtain a certified ranking. From the reports of our video students this is a dream come true. The Ninjutsu Blackbelt Home Study Course even helps those who have a Ninjutsu dojo near them to practice the lessons at home, enhancing their training. Our students who train at the dojo and at home with the course advance at least twice as quickly. The Ninjutsu Blackbelt Home Study Course also creates a standard for growth and gives a new blackbelt a method for becoming an instructor themselves.

WHO WILL BENEFIT BY STUDYING THE COURSE?

People who want a life change, new martial art students, families or buddies who want a hobby together, those who train but want more information, to learn faster, those without instructors, instructors who want a curriculum for students, blackbelts in other arts and schools who want to add to their system, knowledge or credibility. Our success tells us that our Ninjutsu Blackbelt Home Study Course will give you the edge you need to become a better martial artist.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Simply enroll in the Ninjutsu Home Study Course by either purchasing the complete course at a discount or getting at least the 1st three videos, Shodan manual & a membership. This allows you to register as a Ninjutsu student by sending in your student application. Obtain through us or your local martial arts shop a black uniform with a white belt. You do not need to have tabi shoes, (some do, some don’t). Over time you will need to get or make a few wooden weapons such as a knife, 3ft staff, 6 ft staff and a wooden sword. Study each move on the tapes over and over until you can do them easily just like it is on the tape. Most students take about 3 months at each kyu level, achieving their blackbelt in 2 1/2 years of dedicated study. If you are athletic or already have martial arts experience you may go faster through the levels keeping in mind that the basics are the foundations that you build your Blackbelt and above training on. This Course was carefully crafted over 7 years to give you a natural progression of material. These are REAL ranks and must be earned with very hard work and perseverance.

HOW DO I TEST FOR RANK?

Testing is simple. Upon becoming a registered student we provide you with a list of what techniques to demonstrate while being filmed on video tape. Send in your video test and an upper level blackbelt instructor will carefully review and grade your skills, give you great feedback inspiring your improvements in the areas needed. We’ll mail your certification for 9th kyu to1st kyu ranks. The blackbelt test must be done in person at a semi-annual camp, seminar, tai kai, dojo or private appointment with one of our many IBDA instructors. This is a real blackbelt and we want your day to be special! Click on Rank Testing to go to that section for more details.

CAN I STUDY THE COURSE WITH A FRIEND?

It is fun to have someone you can share this art with. Each of you will inspire each other’s growth. Understanding this we designed a plan where you and a friend can share your training at a reduced price. It is all described in the Shodan training manual.

CAN I REALLY LEARN WITH DVDS INSTEAD OF AN INSTRUCTOR?

Of course having an instructor helps you and we encourage that. But instructors are often hard to find. So why wait for one. First, the DVDS are your instructor, teaching you in your home or dojo in a step by step way. You can slow motion the instructor and practice the move until you learn it. No intimidation of a class. Go at your own speed. And do it when you have the time. Second, we encourage you to find training partners or an IBDA Bujinkan school near you when you feel you are ready to take your training to a new level. For you we have created a unique and very effective written feedback system that really works. We know because it produces results! People that have taken this course are now very respected instructors. See the success stories page. http://blackbeltcourse.com/success-stories/

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Simply enroll in the Ninjutsu Home Study Course by either purchasing the complete course at a discount or getting at least the 1st three videos, Shodan manual & a membership. This allows you to register as a Ninjutsu student by sending in your student application. Obtain through us or your local martial arts shop a black uniform with a white belt. You do not need to have tabi shoes, (some do, some don’t). Over time you will need to get or make a few wooden weapons such as a knife, 3ft staff, 6 ft staff and a wooden sword. Study each move on the tapes over and over until you can do them easily just like it is on the tape. Most students take about 3 months at each kyu level, achieving their blackbelt in 2 1/2 years of dedicated study. If you are athletic or already have martial arts experience you may go faster through the levels keeping in mind that the basics are the foundations that you build your Blackbelt and above training on. This Course was carefully crafted over 7 years to give you a natural progression of material. These are REAL ranks and must be earned with very hard work and perseverance.

HOW DO I TEST FOR RANK?

Testing is simple. Upon becoming a registered student we provide you with a list of what techniques to demonstrate while being filmed on video tape. Send in your video test and an upper level blackbelt instructor will carefully review and grade your skills, give you great feedback inspiring your improvements in the areas needed. We’ll mail your certification for 9th kyu to1st kyu ranks. The blackbelt test must be done in person at a semi-annual camp, seminar, tai kai, dojo or private appointment with one of our many IBDA instructors. This is a real blackbelt and we want your day to be special! Click on Rank Testing to go to that section for more details.

CAN I STUDY THE COURSE WITH A FRIEND?

It is fun to have someone you can share this art with. Each of you will inspire each other’s growth. Understanding this we designed a plan where you and a friend can share your training at a reduced price. It is all described in the Shodan training manual.

CAN I REALLY LEARN WITH DVDS INSTEAD OF AN INSTRUCTOR?

Of course having an instructor helps you and we encourage that. But instructors are often hard to find. So why wait for one. First, the DVDS are your instructor, teaching you in your home or dojo in a step by step way. You can slow motion the instructor and practice the move until you learn it. No intimidation of a class. Go at your own speed. And do it when you have the time. Second, we encourage you to find training partners or an IBDA Bujinkan school near you when you feel you are ready to take your training to a new level. For you we have created a unique and very effective written feedback system that really works. We know because it produces results! People that have taken this course are now very respected instructors. See the success stories page. http://blackbeltcourse.com/success-stories/

WHO IS MASTER RICHARD VAN DONK?